The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-03-14

notably sunny and optimistic teaching, he has
eoa sure need, at every step, OF one
soo A. sl mmGysols soq z lean upon for
in his wife he has uniformly found a helper of
mat description. If we could know the whole
truth, 1t would very likely appear that but for
her robust and indomitable faith, her power of
announcement and her gift Of smoothing rough
braces ne would have faltered and missed his
cnanee many times when he went boldly and
sianoly forward; or possibly, but for that as
ISSUANCE, he would have given ND his appointed
career thus depriving the world of the greatest
preacher Oh MS time. There must have been
uos lew occasions when he was tempted to
choose rest and safety instead of the strife and
peril into which he plunged and we may be
sure tnat his wifes advice was always potent
iorc c, on the side of such a conclusion.
Inc country has not forgotten. and never can
forget, how like a heroine Mrs Beecher behaved
curing her husbands supreme trouble, when
mat great wave of scandal and passion rolled
over him in connection with the Tiltons.
lnroughout the whole prolonged and humili-
a..ne trial, everybody knows. she was con-
stantiy present In the courtroom at
tentive but undismayed. panied to the last
point OF endurance. but still erect steadfast and
comment 1t was not merely her husbands rep
utation, we must remember, but her own honor.
as well. end the highest interest of her children
living and dead, that were threatened with dis
aster The tales to which she had to listen were
or Kind which few women could have heard
ana yet stood firm and self-reliant, as she did-a
picture of wife and mother at her best of
womanhood at its proudest and noblest If she
mad wavered for an instant the scales might
nave turned to the swift and absolute ruin Of
the man for whom her remarkable devotion
pieaded with such persistent and pathetic en-.
pnasls. Though she said never word, she was
Mr. Beechers most valuable witness. He might,
perhaps have survived the terrible ordeal if she
mad been absent but certainly the task would have
Deen much harder one, and there is reason to
believe that he was himself convinced that the
AID she rendered him was exceedingly fortunate,
II not indispensable.
IL is our custom in these days of much dwell
ing upon the practical side of things to speak
lightly OF the sentiment Of love as the ruling
force OF q life but every now and then we are
brought face to face with a woman like Mrs.
beecher, whose fidelity to her husband shames
our hippancy and compels US to recognize the fact
mat there Is such virtue as complete devotion
Tor devotions sake regardless Of all hindrances.
mat there are many such women in the world
we are bound to believe; and they contribute fal
more to the success of the men whose fortunes
engage their thoughts and efforts than we are
apt to acknowledge or understand They do not
advertise their faithfulness, ask to be com
mended or rewarded for their ceaseless care
courage and fortitude. 1t is enough for them t
know that the objects of their affection are en-
aoled, by their help, to overcome the obstacles
which fate pats in their way, and to achieve
degree of prosperity which vindicates their abil
ity and satisfies their ambition. For themselves
they claim nothing. 1t is in others that they
seek and find triumph and happiness To d,
their utmost for those whom they love and trus
Is their philosophy of existence; and they lv
their lives with royal and beautiful persever
| ance which, as in the case of Mrs. Beecher, de
| serves the highest praise that language can b.
made to express.